1927 "Murderers' Row" News Photo - Ruth, Gehrig, and Lazzeri

This classic image pictures the heart of the Yankees fabled 1927 "Murderers' Row" lineup: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Tony Lazzeri. The three players are pictured in pinstripes as they pose together on the top steps of the dugout. Ruth, Gehrig, and Lazzeri (batting three, four, and five, respectively, in the Yankees lineup) combined for 125 home runs and 441 RBI in 1927. While those numbers would be impressive in any era, they were particularly noteworthy that season when compared to those posted by opposing players. Ruth's total of sixty home runs alone was greater than the combined total of any other team in the League, and the 441 RBI by the trio was greater than the combined efforts of most teams' starting lineups. Although undated, this news photo, issued by Underwood and Underwood, was most likely produced just shortly after the Yankees clinched the American League pennant on September 13, 1927. Included with the photo is a color copy of the company's original paper caption that reads: "Pennant Winning Yankees - Yankees Win American League Pennant After Taking Lead At Start and Holding It Throughout Season - New York - After making a runaway race of it all season, the Yankees won the American League pennant. They took the opening series of the year from the Athletics, of Philadelphia, and held the lead until the end; their victory was due mainly to the heavy hitting of 'Babe' Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and other members of the team; The pitching staff is also considered one of the best ever assembled; Miller Huggins is the manager - Photo Shows: The Yankees' heaviest hitters: Left to Right, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Tony Lazzeri." The photo (8 x 6.5 inches) display extraordinary clarity and is in Near Mint condition. Original 1927 Yankees news photos are both rare and desirable, and the offered photo is certainly one of the finest examples we have ever seen, both with respect to subject matter and condition. As a point of reference, this photo appeared as Lot 1123 in REA's May 2008 sale, where it realized a final sale price of $6,462. It has been consigned to this auction by the original purchaser in 2008. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 14 x 12 inches. Reserve $1,000. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $4,148

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